16 alleged leaders of Long Beach gang charged in undercover sting

Sixteen alleged leaders of Long Beach’s largest gang, which has ties to the Mexican Mafia, have been charged or indicted on federal drug trafficking, conspiracy and weapons charges, authorities said Wednesday.

Most of the alleged “shot callers” in the Longos street gang were taken into custody Tuesday morning at the culmination of a three-year investigation by the FBI and Long Beach gang and undercover officers.

Informants bought methamphetamine from those charged, as part of the undercover operation, authorities said. One man was arrested on state murder charges uncovered during the operation.

Suspect Jose G. Hernandez, “Serio,” 31, is considered to be a fugitive, officials said.

Another man, Mario J. Engfui, 33, was arrested Tuesday by the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and was charged by the Los Angeles County district attorney with murder in connection with the investigation.

Several other members of the gang have already been charged by the district attorney with various violent crimes based on information obtained during the federal and Long Beach police probe.

If convicted of the charges, the alleged gang members face up to 10 years to life in prison.